
Day Trip To Lake Ziway
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 8 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Day Trip To Lake Ziway worth booking?
Day Trip To Lake Ziway is a 11-hour experience in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from $275 per person. It scores 62 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 8 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 62 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (8)
- Duration
- 11 hours
- From
- $275 per person
It’s a great Outing from Addis to enjoy spotting various low land water birds ,a Boat trip to the Bird island for Bird watching more than 25 specious of Bird life and gelila island to see different families of Hippos ,experience the way of life of the Last races of the zai people ,visiting the Cherch of Maryam Tsion
What you get
About this experience
It’s a great Outing from Addis to enjoy spotting various low land water birds ,a Boat trip to the Bird island for Bird watching more than 25 specious of Bird life and gelila island to see different families of Hippos ,experience the way of life of the Last races of the zai people ,visiting the Cherch of Maryam Tsion
What's included
Included
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Lunch
Not included
- Use of snorkeling equipment
What you'll see and do
Lake Ziway
Lake ziway is on of the fresh water Rift Valley Lakes in Ethiopia . In this Lake The church of Maryam Tsion which Once Housed The Ark of The Covenant to Hide it from invaders. The island is full of different specious of Bird life ,Hippos and Rich in Fishery production.
600 minutes here · Admission included
Lake Ziway
A quick walk past the tiny islands only house and up the forested slopes will take you to a monastery that often closed . Walk around it’s perimeter for good views of the lake .
60 minutes here · Admission included
Lake Ziway
Bochessa Birding area a lake side watland the area attracted a numbers of migratory species notably the lesser jacana saddle billed stork black heron and African Pygmy goose . If you visit in October or November you might spot the rare and exceptionally tall ( 1.8meters or 6 feet ) wattled crane .
30 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- WALK IN ETHIOPIA TOUR AND TRAVEL
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children can be Accompanied
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 8 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
8 verified traveler reviews for Day Trip To Lake Ziway. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Beautiful Ethiopia Tour
The trip to the lake was amazing. Driving through the savanna and farmland of the Rift Valley with the occasional acacia tree and mountains in the distance was the quintessential African scenery. The road is a modern divided highway - safe and quick. Lunch was delicious. A traditional coffee warmed us up as it was cooler. The lake is gorgeous. We saw SO many birds!!! Overall fabulous trip.
Response from the operator: Dear Peter Thank you for taking your valuable time to write such a great review and we are happy to give you a Day Trip to Lake ZIWAY and we are glad you enjoyed your trip with us .We hope to see you the near future to show you more of Ethiopia . With Respectfully
via Viator
Perfect day trip in nature!
I had a great time on this Day Trip tour from Addis to Lake Ziway - my tour guide Bre was super kind, knowledgable and accommodating. We saw birds, hippos, local communities and incredible scenery. I would highly recommend this tour - even for solo travelers like myself. The driver was great, safe and on-time. The drive from Addis to the lake is about 2 hours, but the landscape along the way was incredible. It really made my time in Addis special.
Response from the operator: Greetings Dear Valued Guest we are so happy to hear you had a great experience at Lake ziway with walk in Ethiopia Tours, your Great Review made our day! Our whole team works very hard to Offer Best experiences to all Our Clients , but we can only do it thanks to Amazing Customers like you. We thank you again and we Hope to show you the near Future more of Ethiopia's in your next visit with us' walk in Ethiopia Tours Team with respectfully
via Tripadvisor
Lake, birds, hippos, quiet
If you like birds, you will enjoy this trip. We also saw hippos. Ziway is a very quiet and peaceful place. My host was very friendly, I had a great time this day. I recommend it if you have one day in Addis-Ababa. I booked 3 trips and can tell you the team is really nice, and you can trust them.
Response from the operator: Greetings Dear Virgini it a reward to us read such a great review from you and we are so happy you enjoyed your day trip to lake ziway with us , we hope to see you the near Future to shiw you more of Ethiopia. With Regards Gashaw Mihiret Walk in EthiopiaTours Team
via Tripadvisor
Great escape for 1 day from Addis
I took the full day tour with Gawash to Lake Ziway. It was well organized and i have seen really a lot. Gawash took the old road to Ziway, which is longer,but one sees villages and local life. Lunch near the lake was also great. The boat ride on the lake was cool - seen few hippos and tons of birds (e.g. pelicans, marabu...). Just a note, that if you want to spot hippos and it's rainy or windy, your chances are pretty slim.
Response from the operator: Greetings Dear David its a reward to us to read such a great review, and we are so happy that you enjoyed the trip with us , we looking forward to show you more of ethiopia. with regards Gashaw Mihiret walk in Ethiopia Tours Team
via Tripadvisor
Great day trip from Addis
I did a day trip from Addis with Habtamu, I had a great time. Habtamu was very friendly and accommodating. The lake itself does need to be protected as there was some pollution, particularly around the edges. However, the boat trip itself was amazing and we even saw hippos! This was on top of the bird life, which is very varied. I would definitely recommend this trip as a way to spend time away from the city!
Response from the operator: Dear Grace First of all thank you for choosing us for your a Day trip to lake ziway and It’s a Reward to us to read such a great review and taking your valuable time to share your experience with us here in Tripadviser. Our main priority is to Deliver a100% guest satisfaction with a personalized Authentic and memorable experiences all the time, we are very much Delighted that you had a wonderful time with us. We Looking forward to welcome you back again and to show you more of Ethiopia! Warm Hospitality Regards The walk in EthiopiaTour &Travel Team
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 11 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 3
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by WALK IN ETHIOPIA TOUR AND TRAVEL, who run 13 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 53.5.
See everything WALK IN ETHIOPIA TOUR AND TRAVEL runsWhy this scores 62
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Day Trip To Lake Ziway: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Addis Ababa.
How much does Day Trip To Lake Ziway cost?
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Prices start at $275 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Addis Ababa usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Day Trip To Lake Ziway take?
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Plan for about 11 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Addis Ababa is not rushed.
Is Day Trip To Lake Ziway worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 62 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 8 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Addis Ababa, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Day Trip To Lake Ziway?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Day Trip To Lake Ziway suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 11-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Day Trip To Lake Ziway?
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Around 3 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Addis Ababa can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Addis Ababa and add a light layer if any part of the 11-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Day Trip To Lake Ziway start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Addis Ababa within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Addis Ababa?
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On Outty we rank every Addis Ababa experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Addis Ababa Authentic Private City Tour, Addis Ababa Guided City Tour With Airport & Hotel Pick Up, Full Day Tour of Addis Ababa with Hotel Pickup and Drop-off. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Addis Ababa?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Day Trip To Lake Ziway?
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Included: In-vehicle air conditioning; and Lunch. Not included: Use of snorkeling equipment. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Day Trip To Lake Ziway include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 2 listed pickup locations in and around Addis Ababa. Be ready about 60 minutes before the start time.
What languages is Day Trip To Lake Ziway offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Day Trip To Lake Ziway?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Day Trip To Lake Ziway wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Day Trip To Lake Ziway if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Addis Ababa. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Day Trip To Lake Ziway?
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Across 8 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, photo opportunities, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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